Liquid odorant feeder assembly



July 6, 1965 c. L. POPP 3,193,147

LIQUID ODORANT FEEDER ASSEMBLY Filed March 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES L. POPP ATTORNEYS July 6, 1965 c. L. PQPP 3,193,147

LIQUID ODORANT FEEDER ASSEMBLY Filed March 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CHARLES 1.. POPP ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,193,147 LIQUID ODORANT FEEDER ASSEMELY Charles L. Popp, 1421 Belden Road, .lackson, Mich. Filed Mar. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 267,424 4 Claims. (Cl. ZZZ-83.5)

This invention is directed to improvements in dispensing from sealed containers and especially concentrated odorant material for gas lines.

Heretofore the placing of concentrated odorant material into natural gas lines so as to provide a warning smell for leaky gas lines has been rather uncontrolled and a messy operation. Some of the odorant has spilled and due to its volatility and persistence it escapes and gives false indication of leakage for the surrounding vicinity of the gas lines.

The concentrated odorant material is generally received in sealed containers and it is an object of the invention to provide controlled perforation of the sealed container and controlled dispensing of the odorant by apparatus that avoids any spillage and unwanted escape of the odorant material.

A further object of the invention is to provide for controlled venting of the sealed container wherein the pressure is neutralized as between the top of the sealed container and the gas line connection into which the material is being dispensed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an easily assembled and disassembled pair of end frames, an encircling protective open ended shell to receive the sealed container therein and seal it against leakage but yet provide for external readily operable perforating means at each end of the sealed container.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in such apparatus valve means for controlling the dispensing and sight glass means to observe the amount being dispensed.

Still further objects and the entire scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific'example is given by way of illustration only and, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is not given by way of limitation, since various changes and modifications within the spirt and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention reference is had to the following drawings, description and claims, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical side elevation partially in section of the dispensing apparatus with sealed container of concentrated odorant liquid installed;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross Sectional view along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the top perforator; and

FIG. 6 is an end view of the bottom of the top perforator.

Throughout the description like reference numbers refer to similar parts.

i The apparatus is generally indicated at 10 and is de- I signed to use therewithin a sealed container 11, such as a tin can, which may be readily handled by hand and manipulated. A pair of end members 12 and 13 of generally the same configuration are applied with suitable peripheral gaskets 14 and 15, seating in grooves 14a in "ice end member 12 and 15a in end member 13, to the ends of the container 11 and surrounding the container 11 in spaced relation is a suitable open ended steel sleeve or housing 16 which is sealed as at groove 18a in end 12 and groove 19:: in end 13 through peripheral gaskets 18 and 19 applied to the respective grooves in ends 12 and 13. These gaskets here illustrated are of the O-ring type. End member 12 may be termed the top and end member 13 may be termed the bottom. These ends are formed with spaced apart ears 12a for top 12 and 13a for bottom 13 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These ears 12a and 13a have apertures therethrough to receive threaded end tie rods 20 having a nut 20a threadedly received at one end and a thumb screw 20b suitably received on the other end. These provide for quick assembly and disassembly.

Each of the end members is formed with stepped reduced portions such as 13a and 13b on the bottom end and 12a and 12!) on the top so as to receive within suitable grooves the gaskets 15 and 19 on the bottom and 14 and 18 on the top.

The bottom end 13 is formed With an internally threaded depending collar 21 on the lower part. In the top part of the bottom end 13 is recess portion 22. A coupling member 30 having a sight glass therein is used to attach the apparatus to an upstanding branch of a gas line to be odorized. Extending through the bottom end is a nozzle generally indicated 23, see FIG. 4, which has a orifice 23a therein and is threadedly received at 23b within a threaded recess 24 extending into the bottom member 13. This nozzle 23 has a side opening 230 therein which communicates with a needle valve aperture 25 extending horizontally out to the periphery of the bottom member 13 and connecting with this is a vertically extending passage 26 which communicates with the recess portion 22 in the top portion of the bottom end 13. A suitable needle valve 25b is received within the aperture 25 and it screws into the threads 25a therein and has O-ring' seals 25c.

In order to control the dispensing from the sealed container 11 there is further provided a bottom perforator generally indicated at 27 which is provided with a frustroconical matching recess portion 13c in bottom member 13. This perforator 27 has a cylindrical stem 27b, an O-ring seal 270, a compression spring 27d and a securing pin 27d extending transversely through the stem to hold in the spring. The perforator 27 has a projecting pointed punch 27c which in operating position just clears the bottom of the container 11. In order to perforate the container the perforator 27 is struck a blow and the punch 27c pierces the bottom of the container 11 so that odorant therein seeps out through the perforation after the punch has returned to its normal position under influence of the spring 27d. The odorant then passes through the space at the end of the container 11 and the adjacent top surface of the bottom member 13 and reaches the cavity 22. From the cavity 22 it flows through passage 26 into chamber 25 and under the control of the needle valve 25b on into the orifice member 23.

A sight glass 30 in a form of a nipple coupling is threadedly received within the depending portion 21. This sight glass member 30 has a transparent liner 31 therein secured by pressing and cementing with annular grooves 31a adjacent each end. The sleeve 30 has oppositely positioned apertures 30a and 30b therein in communication with the plastic internal sleeve so that any dispensed odorant can be observed as it drops down from the orifice opening 23a in the orifice member 23 thereabove.

The upper end or top 12 is provided with a top perforator member 32 which is of like construction to perforator 27 but has in addition an annular groove 32a therein which extends for about 180 about the tapered portion. A suitable handle 325 controls the positioning in rotation.

This groove 32a in the topperforator 32 is forme with a pressure neutralizing tube. generally indicated at 33. This tube extends adjacent to container 11 Within.

the encirclingprotective container 16 and is received j within an aperture 34 in the lower member 13. A suitg able cross passageway 35 extends radially in lower mem' ber 13) from aperture 34 on into the interior upper por-' tion of a collar 21 so asto vent or equalize thepressure between the branch line and the top vented portion communicate withthe arcuateporti'on 32d of the top pert-orator 32.. The arcuate portion 32:: of the top perforator is in communication with a vertical passage132'c in the perforator that terminates adjacent the top of the container 11. [As soon as the perforator 32. is struck ablow to insert its perforator orpunch 32d into the top of, the can to form a hole therethrough, then'the pres:.

sure within the top of can 11 is communicated therewith through the vertical drilling 32c in the perforator 32, arcuate passage 32a, passage 35 and passages 37, 36, 33', 34, 35 and'into the interior of collar 21.1

In operation, the bottom perforator 27- may be used and a certain amount offlo'w willoccur under the control ofthe needle valve 25b. For further control, venting or perforator.

equalization. of pressure or rate or venting is obtained;

by operation of the top perforator 32 ahdmanipulatiom of the perforator'32 to position 320 with respect to the drilling 32c; I I V s,

When it is desired to replacethe container or can 11 with a new can it-is merely necessary to unscrew. the j apparatus at 21 and to remove the whole assembly; Then by setting this on a suitable frame the thumb nuts-lztib are removed, the top 12 taken off,- empty can 11 is re moved and aznew can is replaced. The gaskets 'canbef through said..bottom .end member from said recess portion'for communicationwith other. pipemeans into which said odorant from the sealed container is to be dispensed, perforator means mounted saidbottom and top end members. for. perforating the adjacent bottom and top ends of said. sealed container; said bottom perforator being positioned so that the perforation formed thereby permits odorant to seep out of the container and into said recessedend portion of the bottom end member for dispensing-through said orifice, said. topend member having'passage means therein leading at one end from the bottomportion and betweenj said sealing means on the top endmember toanothe'r'end" at another portion of the botto'rn of the topend memberwithin said. first .mentionedisealing means on the top end'member, pressureneutralizing conduit'm'eans'extending from the low-.

er portion of said bottom end member where it communicates with said pipe means into which saidodor'ant is dispensed from said-nozzle, to .communicate with said one end of the passage means in-said topmember, said pressureneutralizing conduit means .adaptedrto 'be connected to said sealed containerat the top' by. said perfor-ation" made by said top perforationmade by said top 2. A device for dispensinglodorant'fiuid from a sealed container according to'claim lwherein a control valve and passagemeans i's positio'nedlinsaid bottom end memher for cooperation :.-with said orifice to control the amount of odorant fluid passing through said orifice. 7

3 A- device tor dispensing odorantfiuid from an initially sealed container into a gas line system comprising in 'combina'tionfon use with such a sealed container, bottom-andtop' endmembers, sealing'me'ans carried on said top and bottom end members'for sealing each end memher to the respective end of the containenan open ended protecitve housing' encircling said: sealedlcontainer and sealable'to said end rn'embers, detachable. means securing saidend members'to' saidhousing and said end memhers-on theisealed container, a dispensing orifice. in said bottom end member forco'mmunic'ation 'withmeans into which odorant is to'be dispensed and to which said.

easily checked by insepctionand then the top 12 is 'replaced and the thumb nuts 20b are reinstalled; Thje apparatus is again screwed into place on' a sight glass coupling 30 and then thebottom perforator 27 is actuated;

However, it may be desirable'to assemble the apparatus, invert same on to the top 12' and then manipulate the attaching the perforat'or 27 followed by capsizing and collar 21'to the sight glass nippleid].

Through this. apparatus aneasily installed odorant can of the sealedztype is replaceable anda-t all times the fluid therefrom is controlled and no'escape is' permitted.

Thecyclindral steel container -16'provides a fur'therprotection seal to prevent the. escape of material from the 7 can 11. 1 a

What is claimed is: 1 i I f V 1. A device for dispensing odorant fluid from a sealed container into a'gasline system comprising in combina-.

tion for use with sucha sealed container, bottom' and top end members, sealing means onthe' bottom portion of the top end member andftop portionofthebottom endi member to lie adjacent the periphery of each end.

- odorant is tolbe dispensed andto a vent-passage means of said sealed container sealing said bottom and top members to the sealed container, 'ani'o'penended pro-"1 tective housing extending between said :top andb'ottorn 'end members andlying outside'of said means. for' en-' I cirling said sealed container,,cooperative sealing means; sealing saidhousing adjacent its' ends; to saidmembers,

detachable'means for securing. said end "members on said; sealed'containerand said housing on'said end mem V bers, said. bottom end member having a recess portion in its top portion to lie adjacent said sealed container? 7 and within said firstlmentioned sealing means. on the, 5 bottom end member, 'a dispensing" orifice extendingmovably mounted in said bottom end member, saidbottorn perforator being positioned and mounted so that when moved in onedirection a,-perforation is formed in torn-endmember and associated with said orifice to control, the flowof odorant fluid' therethrough and a pressure neutralizing conduit'rriezinsextending from the bottom end member connection with said means into' which in 'a p ortion of. said top end member; said top'endi member having a top of container perforating means cooperating with said last mentioned passage means for placing the pressure neutralizing conduit: in communication with the'internal top portion'of the sealed container. 7

. 4. A device according to claim Sxincluding sight glass means coupling said device to said means intov which odorantis tobe'dispensed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Blackwell 222-81 943,649 12/09 Buck a 2122-367X 2,306,550 12/42 .Mailey 222.-86 X 2,547,002 7 4 51 Hanson 222-.-

1,807,390 9/57 Chandler 222-88 2,858,050"; 10/58 Barnard.Qe 222+-88 ""RAPHAE L M. LUPO, Primary Examiner;

Examiners.

ERNEST A. FALLER, LOUIS 1f DEMBO,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Nov 3,193,147 July 6, 1965 Charles L Popp It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 69, after "said", second occurrence, insert end column 4, line 23, after "said", first occurrence, strike out "top preforation made by said".

Signed and sealed this 21st day of December 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING ODORANT FLUID FROM A SEALED CONTAINER INTO A GAS LINE SYSTEM COMPRISING IN COMBINATION FOR USE WITH SAUCH A SEALED CONTAINER, BOTTOM AND TOP END MEMBERS, SEALING MEANS ON THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE TOP END MEMBER AND TOP PORTION OF THE BOTTOM END MEMBER TO LIE ADJACENT THE PERIPHERY OF EACH END OF SAID SEALED CONTAINER SEALING SAID BOTTOM AND TOP MEMBERS TO THE SEALED CONTAINER, AN OPEN ENDED PROTECTIVE HOUSING EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID TOP AND BOTTOM END MEMBERS AND LYING OUTSIDE OF SAID MEANS FOR ENCIRCLING SAID SEALING CONTAINER, COOPERATIVE SEALING MEANS SEALING SAID HOUSING ADJACENT ITS END TO SAID MEMBERS, DETACHABLE MEANS FOR SECURING SAID HOUSING ON SAID END MEMSAID SEALED CONTAINER AND SAID HOUSING ON SAID END MEMBERS, SAID BOTTOM END MEMBER HAVING A RECESS PORTION IN ITS TOP PORTION TO LIE ADJACENT SAI SEALED CONTAINER AND WITHIN SAID FIRST MENTIONED SEALING MEANS ON THE BOTTOM END MEMBER, A DISPENSING ORIFICE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BOTTOM END MEMBER FFROM SAID RECESS PORTION FOR COMMUNICATION WITH OTHE RPIPE MEANS INTO WHICH SAID ODORANT FROM THE SEALED CONTAINER IS TO BE DISPENSED PERFORATOR MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID BOTTOM AND TOP END MEMBERS FOR PERFORATING THE ADJACENT BOTTOM AND TOP ENDS OF SAID SEALED CONTAINER, SAID BOTTOM PERFORATOR BEING POSITIONED SO THAT THE PEERFORATION FORMED THEREBY PERMITS ODORANT TO SEEP OUT OF THE CONTAINER AND INTO SAID RECESSED END PORTION OF THE BOTTOM END MEMBER FOR DISPENSING THROUGH SAID ORIFICE, SAID TOP END MEMBER HAVING PASSAGE MEANS THEREIN LEADING AT ONE END FROM THE BOTTOM PORTION AND BETWEEN SAID SEALING MEANS ON THE TOP END MEMBER TO ANOTHER END AT ANOTHER PORTION OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP END MEMBER WITHIN SAID FIRST MENTIONED SEALING MEANS ON THE TOP END MEMBER, PRESSURE NEUTRALIZING CONDUIT MEANS ON THE TOP END MEMBER, PRESSER PORTION OF SAID BOTTOM END MEMBER WHERE IT COMMUNICATES WITH SAID PIPE MEANS INTO WHICH SAID ODORANT IS DISPENSED FROM SAID NOZZLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH SAID ONE END OF THE PASSAGE MEANS IN SAID TOP MEMBER, SAID PRESSURE NEUTRALIZING CONDUIT MEANS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID SEALED CONTAINER AT THE TOP BY SAID PERFORATION MADE BY SAID TOP PERFORATION MADE BY SAID TOP PERFORATOR. 